Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-30
CLOSING SCENES.
Exodus of the War-WOrn
Veterans.
BAD WEATHER THE CAUSE.
The Committee on Pensions Pre-
sent a Measure Which is
Well Received.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD

Associated Press Dispatches to the HrRArbI
ST.. LOUIS, September 29.-Anotber
rain set in to-day, making everything
comfortless. Outgoing trains are filed
with Grand Army veterans who have
given up all attempt to enjoy the en-
campment. The reunion by States
and Territories was made featureless
by the absence Of General Sherman
and the war Governors.
ENcAMPMENT PROCEEDINGS.
ST. LOUIS, September 29.-The Ma
tional Encampment of the Grand
Army Of the Republic assembled this
morning at 9o'clock. Reports of con- :
mittees were resumed, the first in
order being that of the committee ON
pensions. They relate their efforts to
procure liberal Legislation from Con-
gress. The Department Pension Bill
Committe was at Washington during
the debate in Congress over the bill.
1t was far from what they wanted but
it at least would have removed 12.-
600 veterans from public pauper
houses. They call attention to the
Mexican pension bill as being far
more liberal than the one for pension
ing soldiers against the Rebellion.
This bill was met with approval by the
President, and they were fairly
stunned when, from the same hand,
came veto of a measure of a like prin-
ciple, but .infinitessimal in degree, for
the veterans of the war against trea-
son. They appealed to the Grand
Army of the Republic, and a response
came from 10000 members in no un-
certain tones. The committee, there
fore, prepared new pension bill.
This bill makes provision for pensions
to all veterans who are or may here.
after become unable to earn their own
livelihood; for direct continuance of
pensions for widows in their own right;
for an increase of tie present pittance
to minor children, and for fathers or
mothers from any date of dependence.
Such a law would at once remove
fully 1900 veterans from public alms-
houses, where they are now, making
them pensioners instead of paupers.
and will provide pensions for fully az
many more that are now dependent
upon private charity, and also put
into the general pension laws, for the
first time, the recognition of the prin-
ciple that pensions may be granted to
survivors OF the late war without alb
solute proof of disability arising from
service, which proof is almost impos-
sible to procure after lapse OF more
than twenty years. The bill is SIM
liar in general principles to the one
vetoed, but the Objectionable pauper
clause is omitted, making this disa-
bility and not dependent bill.
UNANIMOUS ENDORSEMENT.
The result of submitting this bill to
the comrades of the Grand Army of
the Republic shows that whatever
legislation some comrades may desire,
they are practically unanimous for
everything contained in this bill, and
whatever else may be desirable. The
committee knows from the experience
of years that any additional legisla-
tion is only to be secured inch by
inch.
THE RELIEF CORPS.
ST. LoUIs.-The Womens' Relief
Corps resumed its session to- day
and the reports of officers were
received. During the session
a telegram was received from
Mrs. General Logan, thinking the
corps for message of sympathy and
greetin. This evening the local relief
corps gave reception to comrades of
the G. A. r. and Woman's Relief
Corps which was largely attended.
The veterans and visitors were given
also grand entertainment tonight
by the Trades Association.
The contest for Commander in Chief
is waxing warm, but nothing tangible
can be cleaned as yet from the num-
erOus rumors.
ST.. LOUIS, September 29.-The
Grand Army will meet in Columbus,
o., in 1888, during the week of the
centennial anniversary of the settle
ment of that city.